Enthusiasm a Key to Success

Author: Catherine Pulsifer

A simple meaning for the word enthusiasm is to have a keen interest. It means you demonstrate an eagerness and a joy that fills you with energy. If you approach any task without enthusiasm, the task will be laborious. You will find yourself watching the clock waiting for the day to be over. You are just putting in time, bored, unhappy, and truly not enjoying life. But what a difference it makes when you are energized.

Things Become Easier
But, with enthusiasm, any task becomes so much easier, you will find yourself wanting to finish the task not finish the day. If you start your day by dreading it, it will be a long day. But, if you find something you can be enthused about it will change your entire day! Sure there are things we all don’t like doing, but rather than focusing on what we don’t like, focus on what inspires us or on the good of what you are doing. And, there is always good in everything if we just look for it.

It Is Contagious
Enthusiasm is contagious. When you work with enthusiastic people, you can’t help but be enthusiastic yourself. Enthusiasm spreads like wild fire. Think of people you have worked with. Usually, those who show enthusiasm are fun to work with and the tasks get done faster and with more fun. And, then they are those who have little enthusiasm, the task seems to take forever, while at the same time it usually brings you down.

This is true not just at work but also in your personal life. When you live with or hang around with people who show little enthusiasm it does rub off on you. When someone is constantly negative or someone who demonstrates no interest you will find that any task will be a chore. The other aspect, that is critical in my opinion, is the way children can pick this up. They pick up the ways and attitudes of their parents. Something as simple as cleaning the house can teach our children to grumble and complain, or it can teach our children to be enthusiastic about getting it done. The next time a child dreads cleaning the room, stop and think about how you as the parent talk and react when it is time to clean the house. Experiment with your own reaction and watch your child’s reaction change – it is amazing to see and certainly drives home the point about being enthusiastic rather than being a complainer.

There are a lot of attitudes among workers that can lead to a better workplace and these can be as simple as respect for others, laughter, understanding, and compromise. But, enthusiasm is one of the biggest factors when linked with all the others previously mentioned. As you might understand, enthusiasm by itself can only do so much but when enthusiasm is also coupled with respect for others, or the ability to compromise in the workplace, mountains can be moved.

Applies To All Areas of Life
Enthusiasm isn’t just about work either. Enthusiasm for everything you do will not only put you ahead in dealing with whatever comes your way, but you are also showing yourself to be a model of what constitutes a person of value, a person of merit, and a person to emulate.

How Can I Be Like This
The question for some people is how do I actually show enthusiasm, and how does this translate to model a behavior for others to follow?

To show enthusiasm means that you openly do what others may be reluctant to do. You take on any task with a positive attitude. For example, if you are faced with a problem, you do not start talking about the problem as if it is something that stops you dead in your tracks. Instead, you talk about the problem only as a beginning to find a solution. The problem is only seen as a starting point to move forward and not as a place to stay stuck and complain, or feel defeated.

The next action in resolving the issue is to engage everyone involved that the problem affects. This means that you ask for assistance in finding a solution where you sate clearly that no possible solution is judged or ignored. In other words, your enthusiasm to resolve the issue is the main focus of the conversation. Once you have everyone involved in finding a solution, the next step is to get everyone’s input into agreeing what one solution is the best. It is this demonstration of leading others forward that demonstrates your enthusiasm for the positive and not the negative. Remember this: enthusiasm for a positive solution is the hallmark of a positive person, whereas a person who only sees the problem is a sign of a pessimist.

I have a post-card on my desk taken from “Life’s Little Instruction Book” that says: “Be the most enthusiastic and positive person you know!” When I am having a difficult day, I read that card, and it encourages me to change my outlook. To refocus my thinking to a more positive attitude.

Much has been written about enthusiasm, consider the wisdom of Samuel Smiles, “Enthusiasm…the sustaining power of all great action.”
If you have enthusiasm you will find challenges you may be facing will be easier because of your attitude. You will find a solution.

Find A Reminder
And consider the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Looking at successful people we can see these words are true. Look at great inventions or works of art for example, the really great ones had an person who was excited and enthused about their work.

And Vince Lombardi whose words may make you smile, but there is true wisdom in them, “If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.” Those who come to work full of energy and enthusiasm are usually the ones who are kept on. And the reason for this is that they are the ones who will take the initiative, they willingly help out when needed, and they contribute more than others.

How enthusiastic are you? Sometimes it is good for us to have reminders that may just be a few words, but those few words can change your whole day. Find that one quote that you can relate to and stick it on your desk. What a difference it can make!

Inspirational Quotes for Reflection:
“The real secret of success is enthusiasm. Yes, more than enthusiasm, I would say excitement. I like to see men get excited. When they get excited they make a success of their lives. ” Walter Chrysler

“You’ve got to wake up and be proud of what you’ve built, and the barometer for success should be beyond money and growth.”Jason Navallo, Success

“If you have ever felt such tremendous enthusiasm and desire for something that you would gladly spend all your waking hours working on it, that you would happily do without pay, then you have found your passion.” Sharon Cook, and Graciela Sholander, Dream It, Do It

“Motivated people are passionate! They love what they do and they are full of themselves (in the nicest possible way). Their enthusiasm and excitement are catching and they attract other people’s interest and attention.” Lynda Field, Weekend Life Coach

“Happiness leads to positive emotion, which leads to more confidence, which leads to success.” Zayne Parker

“Riding a bike takes both attitude and skill. If you believe that you will fall, then you will certainly fall. However, if you decide to forget about your fear of falling and failing, and instead focus on the joy of the ride, you will no doubt find yourself pedaling at top speed, enjoying the wind in your hair.” Sarah Brooks, Self Esteem